Been on CanuckAudioMart discussing my possible set-up and Axiom has come up a few times, so thought I'd float on over here for some direct advice.

I have a rough budget of $2000 for which I was hoping to get 5.1 speakers AND a receiver, based on the options here I think that might need to be pushed to at least $2500.

I already own a TV, Optik TV, X360 and BD player (Samsung BD6500). The system will mainly be used for movies and games with some TV. I'm looking for all my speakers to be wall mounted as I don't have a lot of floor space either side of the TV and none behind the sofa.

I have wiring in the room for 7.1 but thinking to help with budget that I'd only buy 5.1 right now.

The system will be in my basement where Iíd put the wires in the wall already. The room is long and I have the couch set-up horizontally across from the TV, about 11.5Ft away, looking back at the plans for when the basement was developed (NB I still have the PDF can I attach to a post if that helps?).

As a comparison Iíve currently got my eye on the Kef 3005SE 5.1 set-up which I can get online for $1200 right now, Iím still not sure on which receiver Iíd pair with these. Interested in what the best solution would be from Axiom and some advice on speaker choice as well as receiver options.

If you don't have any floor space behind the sofa, 7.1 is not going to do you any good.

Personally, I think the Onkyo refurbs at shoponkyo.com or accessories4less.com offer excellent value in receivers. Find one that has the features you want. I wouldn't spend more than about $450.

I think you're compromising sound quality by mandating "onwall" speakers. Perhaps a traditional speaker mounted on the wall? You spend some $ on mounts, of course. Can you do INWALL speakers? That would be an excellent option if you're willing to cut the sheetrock.

Within your budget, here what I would consider:From the auction site at "buy it now" price (Axiom B stock):M22s $439VP100 $238QS8s $502From the main site:EP350 $768 (Can get cheaper if you wait until one shows up on the auction site).

That leaves you with over $500 for the receiver. I am sure an entry level Denon can be purchased at this price.

I never heard the KEF system, but judging by the size of the satellites, I would think that the Axiom would be a big improvement. Either if it is worth the price different is up to you. Just don't forget that Axiom as a 30 days trials so you could try it in your basement and you are not happy, could always send it back, no questions asked.

Here's my attempt at inserting an image of the room with crude diagram of what I'm working with. (NB the little cubby hole mapped into the diagram where the L front speaker is doesn't exist it's wall all the way to the outside wall)

Wires are in the wall and ceiling already so I'd be happy to cut open and it will probably make my life easier to fish out the wires. The rear 2 are on an external wall with insulation behind so not sure how that affects installation of in-walls, maybe I stick with on wall for the rear.

Yup - oversight on the lack of sub, there is no wiring in the walls for it, plan was to have it under the L Front speaker beside the AV cabinet.

The wiring for all speakers is in the wall and ceiling, if I'm installing in-walls I can play about a bit more with the speaker placement as I can reach in and fish out the wires from where they are hiding provided I stick between the studs where the wires are right now. This leaves me less width flexibility on the ceiling as the joists are closer together and run horizontally across the space.

The in-ceiling 2 speakers would be a later addition if needed, I put the wire in to have the option.

NB the speaker placement on the drawing is pretty rough, my scribbles of exact locations are at home and I did it almost a year ago... Also it's all just hidden wiring right now, no speakers in place.

First if you are really into gaming you want to get that sofa off the back wall a little bit. Even if you can pull it forward a couple of feet it will give some room for a rear soundstage to develop even if using only 5.1 surrounds placed just behind and to the sides of your seating. I game a lot and you donít want to mistaken the direction something is coming at you from if itís behind you. I would shoot for at least 1 meter which based on your picture is doable. This will also help your front speakers especially bookshelf and in/on wall better reach your seating as it will move your listen position closer. It will also likely make your front speakers sound better by delaying the reflection off the back wall which will likely interfere with the direct sound coming from the front if the sofa is up against the wall.

That said if you are focused on mostly movies and games I would prioritize the following based on your personal preference.

1. Get a good subwoofer that goes down to 20 Hz. For movies and gaming this will really pay off.

2. Get a good center speaker for movie dialogue intelligibility.

3. Get very diffuse surround speakers because of the limited distance behind your seating and because of how close the left wall is.

4. Get timbre matched speakers all around so that 360 degree pans in games sound seamless.

Based on that I would recommend 2xM22 mains, 1xM22 or 1xM2 or 1xVP100 center (preference on the matching M22 and then M2 because they sound so similar and are both less expensive than the VP100), 2xQS8s (stick with 5.1 for now and if you canít pull the sofa off the back wall I wouldnít even waste the money on 7.1). The sub is a tougher choice. I havenít heard the EP350 but Iím inclined to say you should go below the EP500 for a room of that volume. Not sure if there are any other sub makers in a similar or lower price range in Canada but if so you might also look into them. The sub is one speaker that doesnít need to be timbre matched to the others so a different manufacturer isnít a problem.

Even if you donít have room for bookshelf speakers sitting on the floor I would consider putting up shelves and using regular bookshelf speakers instead of on or in wall. IMO you will get a little better performance out of them and have more flexibility if you ever want to move them somewhere else or even sell them.

I agree on the refurbished Onkyo or also a Denon receiver though other brands will do fine if you can find a bargain for something with the features you want.

If you plan on this system being with you for a while I wouldnít skimp on any of your speaker selections. IMO itís better to build a system piece by piece and get what you want rather than trying to get everything at once if it means downgrading a speaker.